Implements for displacing ground material

ABSTRACT

Implement apparatus may be configured to displace ground material. For example, an implement may include an extension member coupled to a roller apparatus. The roller apparatus may include a cylindrical portion and a plurality of ground displacing elements. The ground displacing elements may be configured to extend into a ground surface to disperse ground material when the roller apparatus is engaged with the ground surface as the vehicle traverses the ground surface.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/213,118 filed on Mar. 14, 2014, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent. Application Ser. No. 61/782,811filed on Mar. 14, 2013, each of which is incorporated by reference intheir entireties.

The present disclosure relates to implements and implement systems foruse in displacing ground material. The implements may include rollerapparatus configured to engage a ground surface and form a plurality ofreservoirs in the ground surface.

Water distributed through irrigation systems or from rain may beunevenly dispersed over an agricultural field due to runoff and furthermay be subject to evaporation. For example, a sloped or angled groundsurface may also contribute to water runoff where water may run fromhigher areas of a field to lower areas of the field. Additionally, waterexposed on the top of the ground surface may be subject to evaporation.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes exemplary implements, implementsystems, and methods for use in conditioning soil. The exemplaryimplements and implement systems may be configured to be attached to avehicle such as, e.g., a tractor. The vehicle may traverse a groundsurface, such as a field, towing one or more implements in betweenplanted rows of vegetation or crops such as, e.g., corn, soybeans,cotton, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, sunflowers, and all row crops,etc., or in the preparation of land for construction. An exemplaryimplement may generally include roller apparatus and an extension memberconfigured to hold, or position, the roller apparatus such that it mayengage the ground surface to form a plurality of reservoirs in theground surface. For example, the extension member may be configured toapply down pressure to the roller apparatus such that the rollerapparatus continuously engages the ground surface when in use. Theextension member may be pivotably attached to a mount portion, which maybe configured to be attached to the vehicle.

One or more implements may be part of an exemplary system. For example,a plurality of implements, as described herein, may be part of anexemplary implement system. An exemplary system may generally include aframe apparatus (such as, e.g., a beam or other structure) forsupporting the plurality of implements and coupling them to the vehicle.Each mount portion of the plurality of implements may be configured tomount or couple each implement to the frame apparatus. In the exemplarysystem, the plurality of implements may be coupled to the frameapparatus in a spaced apart arrangement along the frame apparatus tofacilitate each of the plurality of implements passing between rows ofcrops.

One exemplary implement couplable to a vehicle configured to traverse aground surface may include a mount portion couplable to a vehicle, anextension member extending from a proximal end portion to a distal endportion (e.g., wherein the proximal end portion is pivotably coupled tothe mount portion about a pivot axis), and a roller apparatus rotatablycoupled to the distal end portion of the extension member about a rolleraxis. For example, the roller apparatus may include a cylindricalportion lying along the roller axis configured to roll over a groundsurface (e.g., wherein the cylindrical portion may define an outersurface configured to engage the ground surface when the cylindricalportion is rolled over the ground surface) and a plurality of grounddisplacing elements coupled to the cylindrical portion and extendingfrom the outer surface of the cylindrical portion (e.g., wherein eachground displacing element of the plurality of ground displacing elementsmay include a ground lifting surface configured to engage and liftground material to disperse the ground material and form a plurality ofreservoirs in the ground surface when the outer surface is engaged withthe ground surface as the cylindrical portion is rolled over the groundsurface). The mount portion may be configured to transmit force to theroller apparatus to maintain engagement between the outer surface of thecylindrical portion and the ground surface when the cylindrical portionis rolled over the ground surface.

The implement, implement systems, and/or methods described herein mayinclude one or more of the following features: the ground liftingsurface of at least one of the plurality of ground displacing elementsmay be a planar surface; the ground lifting surface of at least one theplurality of ground displacing elements may be a non-planar surface; theroller apparatus may be configured to contact the ground continuously,at least one ground displacing element of the plurality of grounddisplacing elements may extend from a first edge to a second edgedefining an element width and may extend from the outer surface of thecylindrical portion to a distal edge defining an element length (e.g.,the element width may be greater than the element length); a radius ofthe cylindrical portion may be perpendicular to the roller axis and mayextend from the roller axis to the outer surface of the cylindricalportion and at least one ground displacing element of the plurality ofground displacing elements may extend from the outer surface of thecylindrical portion to a distal edge defining an element length (e.g.,the element length may be greater than the radius of the cylindricalportion); the cylindrical portion may extend from a first end to asecond end along the roller axis defining a roller width and theplurality of ground displacing elements may be configured to disperseground material outside of the roller width; the plurality of grounddisplacing elements may be equally spaced around the cylindricalportion; each ground displacing element of the plurality of grounddisplacing elements may extend from the outer surface of the cylindricalportion along a plane that is tangential to the cylindrical portion; theplurality of ground displacing elements may include at least four grounddisplacing elements; at least one ground displacing element of theplurality of ground displacing elements may extend from a first edge toa second edge defining an element width and the cylindrical portion mayextend from a first end to a second end along the roller axis defining aroller width (e.g., the element width may be greater than 50% of thecylindrical portion width); at least one ground displacing element ofthe plurality of ground displacing elements may extend from a first edgeto a second edge defining an element width and the cylindrical portionmay extend from a first end to a second end along the roller axisdefining a roller width (e.g., the element width may be greater than 90%of the cylindrical portion width); the mount portion may include anelongated torsion assembly extending along the pivot axis (e.g., theelongated torsion assembly may include a first elongate member fixedlycoupled to the mount portion, a second elongate member fixedly coupledto the extension member, and a plurality of cushioning rods locatedbetween the first and second elongate members and configured to allowmovement of the first elongate member relative to the second elongatemember about the pivot axis); the cylindrical portion may define anenclosure configured to contain material (e.g., water) to provideadditional mass to the roller apparatus; at least one ground displacingelement of the plurality of ground displacing elements may include afirst portion extending along a first plane and a second portionextending along a second plane, wherein the first plane and the secondplane intersect at an apex; at least one ground displacing element ofthe plurality of the ground displacing elements may further define arear surface opposite the ground lifting surface, an element thicknessmay be defined between the rear surface and the ground lifting surface,and the ground displacing element of the plurality of ground displacingelements may extend from a first edge to a second edge defining anelement width (e.g., the element width may be greater than the elementthickness); at least one ground displacing element of the plurality ofground displacing elements may define one or more apertures extendingthrough the ground lifting surface to allow ground material to passthrough the ground displacing element; and/or at least one grounddisplacing element of the plurality of ground displacing elements mayinclude a blade portion and one or more attachment portions fixedlycoupled to the cylindrical portion (e.g., the blade portion may beremovably coupled to the one or more attachment portions).

An exemplary implement system couplable to a vehicle configured totraverse a ground surface may include frame apparatus couplable to thevehicle and a plurality of implements coupled to the frame apparatus.The plurality of implements may include a mount portion couplable to avehicle, an extension member extending from a proximal end portion to adistal end portion (e.g., wherein the proximal end portion may bepivotably coupled to the mount portion about a pivot axis), and a rollerapparatus rotatably coupled to the distal end portion of the extensionmember about a roller axis. The roller apparatus may include acylindrical portion lying along the roller axis configured and sized toroll over a ground surface between crop rows (e.g., the cylindricalportion may define an outer surface configured to engage the groundsurface when the cylindrical portion is rolled over the ground surface)and a plurality of ground displacing elements coupled to the cylindricalportion and extending from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion.The mount portion may be configured to transmit force to the rollerapparatus to maintain engagement between the outer surface of thecylindrical portion and the ground surface when the cylindrical portionis rolled over the ground surface.

In one or more embodiments of the system, at least one ground displacingelement of the plurality of ground displacing elements may include aground lifting surface configured to engage and lift ground material todisperse the ground material and form a plurality of reservoirs in theground surface when the outer surface is engaged with the ground surfacewhile the cylindrical portion is rolled over the ground surface.

In one or more other embodiments of the system, at least one grounddisplacing element of the plurality of ground displacing elements may beconfigured to engage and compress the ground material (e.g., compressionelements) to disperse the ground material and form a plurality ofreservoirs in the ground surface when the outer surface is engaged withthe ground surface while the cylindrical portion is rolled over theground surface. For example, the cylindrical portion may define aplurality of keyhole-shaped openings and each of the plurality of grounddisplacing elements (e.g., compression elements) may be removablycoupled to the cylindrical portion using a keyhole-shaped opening of theplurality of keyhole-shaped openings. Further, for example, each of theplurality of ground displacing elements (e.g., compression elements) maydefine an opening extending therethrough and the roller apparatus mayinclude a plurality of fasteners (e.g., wherein each fastener of theplurality of fasteners may be configured to extend through the openingof a ground displacing element and through a keyhole-shaped opening ofthe cylindrical portion to removably couple the ground displacingelement to the cylindrical portion). In one or more embodiments, eachkeyhole-shaped opening of the plurality of keyhole-shaped openings maydefine a slot region and a circular region, a diameter of the circularregion may be larger than a width of the slot region, the cylindricalportion may define a plurality of secondary openings, and/or each grounddisplacing element of the plurality of ground displacing elements mayinclude a retention portion configured to be located in one of thesecondary openings of the cylindrical portion when the ground displacingelement is removably coupled to the cylindrical portion using akeyhole-shaped opening to retain the fastener in the slot region of thekeyhole-shaped opening. In one or more embodiments, a single rollerapparatus may be used with a vehicle (e.g., the single roller apparatusmay include compression elements as described herein).

An exemplary method of using an implement may include coupling animplement to a vehicle. The implement may include a mount portioncouplable to a vehicle, an extension member extending from a proximalend portion to a distal end portion (e.g., wherein the proximal endportion may be pivotably coupled to the mount portion about a pivotaxis), and a roller apparatus rotatably coupled to the distal endportion of the extension member about a roller axis. The rollerapparatus may include a cylindrical portion lying along the roller axisconfigured to roll over a ground surface and the cylindrical portion maydefine an outer surface configured to engage the ground surface when thecylindrical portion is rolled over the ground surface and a plurality ofground displacing elements coupled to the cylindrical portion andextending from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion (e.g., eachground displacing element of the plurality of ground displacing elementsmay include a ground lifting surface configured to engage and liftground material to disperse the ground material and form a plurality ofreservoirs in the ground surface when the outer surface is engaged withthe ground surface while the cylindrical portion is rolled over theground surface). The mount portion may be configured to transmit forceto the roller apparatus to maintain engagement between the outer surfaceof the cylindrical portion and the ground surface when the cylindricalportion is rolled over the ground surface. The method may furtherinclude engaging the ground surface with the roller apparatus of theimplement and traversing the ground surface with the vehicle and theimplement.

One exemplary implement apparatus may be couplable to a vehicleconfigured to traverse a ground surface. The exemplary implementapparatus may include an extension member couplable to the vehicle andextending from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion and aroller apparatus rotatably coupled to the distal end portion of theextension member. The roller apparatus may be configured to engage theground surface when the vehicle traverses the ground surface. Further,the roller apparatus may include a cylindrical portion defining an outercylindrical surface and lying along a roller axis configured to rotateas the vehicle traverses the ground surface and a plurality of grounddisplacing elements coupled to the cylindrical portion and extendingfrom the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion. Eachground displacing element of the plurality of ground displacing elementsmay define a chisel edge and may be configured to extend into the groundsurface to displace ground material when the roller apparatus is engagedwith the ground surface as the vehicle traverses the ground surface. Thechisel edge may engage the ground surface prior to the remainder of theground displacing element when the roller apparatus is engaged with theground surface as the vehicle traverses the ground surface.

In one or more embodiments, at least one ground displacing element ofthe plurality of ground displacing elements may include a first portionextending along a first plane, and a second portion extending along asecond plane. Further, the first plane and the second plane mayintersect at an apex defining the chisel edge.

In one or more embodiments, at least one ground displacing element ofthe plurality of ground displacing elements may be removably coupled tothe cylindrical portion. In one or more embodiments, the plurality ofground displacing elements may be arranged in at least three rowscircumferentially extending around the outer cylindrical surface of thecylindrical portion. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of grounddisplacing elements may be arranged in at least a first row and secondrow, each of the first and second rows extending circumferentiallyaround the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion, and theplurality of ground displacing elements located in the first row may bestaggered with respect to the plurality of ground displacing elementslocated in the second row such that the plurality of ground displacingelements located in the first row do not extend from the same locationsabout the circumference of the cylindrical portion as the plurality ofground displacing elements located in the second row.

In one or more embodiments, the plurality of ground displacing elementsmay include eight or more ground displacing elements. In one or moreembodiments, the cylindrical portion may define an enclosure configuredto contain material to provide additional mass to the roller apparatus.

In one or more embodiments, a radius of the cylindrical portionperpendicular to the roller axis extends from the roller axis to theouter cylindrical surface, at least one ground displacing element of theplurality of ground displacing elements extends from the outercylindrical surface to a distal edge defining an element length, and theelement length is greater than the radius of the cylindrical portion.

One exemplary implement apparatus may be couplable to a vehicleconfigured to traverse a ground surface and the exemplary implementapparatus may include a mount portion couplable to the vehicle, anextension member extending from a proximal end portion coupled to themount portion to a distal end portion, and a roller apparatus rotatablycoupled to the distal end portion of the extension member. The rollerapparatus may be configured to engage the ground surface when thevehicle traverses the ground surface and may include a cylindricalportion lying along a roller axis and configured to rotate as thevehicle traverses the ground surface, and a plurality of grounddisplacing elements coupled to the cylindrical portion and extendingfrom the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion. Eachground displacing element of the plurality of ground displacing elementsmay include an attachment portion removably coupled to the outercylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion, and a blade portioncoupled to the attachment portion and configured to extend into theground surface to displace ground material when the roller apparatus isengaged with the ground surface as the vehicle traverses the groundsurface.

In one or more embodiments, the cylindrical portion may define aplurality of keyhole-shaped openings through the outer cylindricalsurface, and the attachment portion of each of the plurality of grounddisplacing elements may be removably coupled to the cylindrical portionusing a keyhole-shaped opening of the plurality of keyhole-shapedopenings. Further, the attachment portion of each of the plurality ofground displacing elements may define an opening extending therethrough,and the roller apparatus may include a plurality of fasteners. Eachfastener of the plurality of fasteners may be configured to extendthrough the opening of the attachment portion of a ground displacingelement and through a keyhole-shaped opening of the cylindrical portionto couple the ground displacing element to the cylindrical portion.Still further, the cylindrical portion may define a plurality ofsecondary openings through the outer cylindrical surface, and theattachment portion of each ground displacing element of the plurality ofground displacing elements may include a retention portion configured tobe located in one of the secondary openings of the cylindrical portionwhen the ground displacing element is removably coupled to thecylindrical portion using a keyhole-shaped opening to retain thefastener in a slot region of the keyhole-shaped opening.

In one or more embodiments, the blade portion of the plurality of grounddisplacing elements may include a first portion extending along a firstplane and a second portion extending along a second plane. Further, thefirst plane and the second plane may intersect at an apex, and the apexmay be described as entering the ground surface prior to the remainderof the blade portion when the roller apparatus is engaged with theground surface as the vehicle traverses the ground surface.

One exemplary system couplable to a vehicle configured to traverse aground surface may include frame apparatus couplable to the vehicle anda plurality of implements coupled to the frame apparatus. Each of theplurality of implements may include an extension member extending from aproximal end portion coupled to the frame apparatus to a distal endportion, and a roller apparatus rotatably coupled to the distal endportion of the extension member. The roller apparatus may include acylindrical portion defining an outer cylindrical surface and lyingalong a roller axis configured and sized to roll between crop rows. Thecylindrical portion may define a plurality of keyhole-shaped openingsextending through the outer cylindrical surface. The roller apparatusmay further include a plurality of ground displacing elements removablycoupled to the cylindrical portion using the plurality of keyhole-shapedopenings and extending from the outer cylindrical surface of thecylindrical portion. Further, the plurality of ground displacingelements may extend into the ground surface to displace ground materialwhen the roller apparatus is engaged with the ground surface as thevehicle traverses the ground surface.

In one or more embodiments, each of the plurality of ground displacingelements may define an opening extending therethrough, and the rollerapparatus may include a plurality of fasteners. Each fastener of theplurality of fasteners may be configured to extend through the openingof a ground displacing element and through a keyhole-shaped opening ofthe cylindrical portion to removably couple the ground displacingelement to the cylindrical portion.

One exemplary implement apparatus couplable to a vehicle configured totraverse a ground surface may include an extension member couplable tothe vehicle and extending from a proximal end portion to a distal endportion and a roller apparatus rotatably coupled to the distal endportion of the extension member and configured to engage the groundsurface when the vehicle traverses the ground surface. The rollerapparatus may include a cylindrical portion and a plurality of grounddisplacing elements. The cylindrical portion may define an outercylindrical surface and lie along a roller axis configured to rotate asthe vehicle traverses the ground surface. The plurality of grounddisplacing elements may be coupled to the cylindrical portion and extendfrom the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion. Theplurality of ground displacing elements may be arranged in at least onerow circumferentially extending around the outer cylindrical surface ofthe cylindrical portion, and each ground displacing element of theplurality of ground displacing elements may define a chisel edge and maybe configured to extend into the ground surface to displace groundmaterial when the roller apparatus is engaged with the ground surface asthe vehicle traverses the ground surface.

Another exemplary implement apparatus couplable to a vehicle configuredto traverse a ground surface may include a mount portion couplable tothe vehicle, an extension member extending from a proximal end portioncoupled to the mount portion to a distal end portion, and a rollerapparatus rotatably coupled to the distal end portion of the extensionmember. The roller apparatus may be configured to engage the groundsurface when the vehicle traverses the ground surface and may include acylindrical portion and a plurality of ground displacing elements. Thecylindrical portion may lie along a roller axis and may be configured torotate as the vehicle traverses the ground surface. The plurality ofground displacing elements may be coupled to the cylindrical portion andmay extend from the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindricalportion. Each ground displacing element of the plurality of grounddisplacing elements may include an attachment portion coupled to theouter cylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion, and a bladeportion coupled to and extending from the attachment portion andconfigured to extend into the ground surface to displace ground materialwhen the roller apparatus is engaged with the ground surface as thevehicle traverses the ground surface. The blade portion may lie in planethat is not perpendicular to the rolling axis.

In one or more embodiments, at least one ground displacing element ofthe plurality of ground displacing elements may define a forward edgeand a rearward edge opposite the forward edge, and each of the forwardedge and the rearward edge define the chisel edge. In one or moreembodiments, at least one ground displacing element of the plurality ofground displacing elements may define a forward edge and a rearward edgeopposite the forward edge, and the rearward edge may be curved (e.g.,extend along a curve). In at least one embodiment, at least a portion ofthe forward edge may extend linearly along a line. In one or moreembodiments, the plurality of ground displacing elements may be arrangedat least one or two rows circumferentially extending around the outercylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion.

In one or more embodiments, the plurality of ground displacing elementsmay be arranged in at least a first row and second row, and each of thefirst and second rows extending circumferentially around the outercylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion. Further, the pluralityof ground displacing elements may be located in the first row arestaggered with respect to the plurality of ground displacing elementslocated in the second row such that the plurality of ground displacingelements located in the first row do not extend from the same locationsabout the circumference of the cylindrical portion as the plurality ofground displacing elements located in the second row.

The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or everyimplementation of the present disclosure. A more complete understandingwill become apparent and appreciated by referring to the followingdetailed description and claims taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary implement.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the implement of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a cross sectional view of the implement of FIG. 1A takenalong line A-A′ as shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1D is an enlarged view of the elongate torsion assembly of FIG. 1C.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of another exemplary implement.

FIG. 2B is a top view of the implement of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a cross sectional view of an exemplary ground displacingelement of the implement of FIG. 2A taken along line B-B′ as shown inFIG. 2B.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary implement.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of another exemplary implement.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the implement of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of another exemplary implement.

FIG. 5B is a top view of the implement of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a cross sectional view of the implement of FIG. 5A takenalong line C-C′ as shown in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6A is a top perspective view of an exemplary ground displacingelement, e.g., for use with the implement of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the ground displacing element ofFIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an exemplary cylindrical portion, e.g.,for use with the implement of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of an exemplary attachment region of thecylindrical portion of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is an enlarged view of an exemplary attachment region similar tothe attachment region of FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary implement system includinga plurality of implements, e.g., such as the implement depicted in FIG.3A.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another exemplary implement.

FIG. 9B is a top view of the implement of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a top view of the implement of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9D is a perspective view of the roller apparatus of the implementof FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9E is an enlarged top view of the roller apparatus of the implementof FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9F is an enlarged side view of an exemplary ground displacingelement of the roller apparatus of the implement of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9G is an enlarged top view of the ground displacing element of FIG.9F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawings which forma part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specificembodiments which may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting from (e.g., still falling within) the scope of the disclosurepresented hereby.

Exemplary apparatus, systems, and methods shall be described withreference to FIGS. 1-9. It will be apparent to one skilled in the artthat elements from one embodiment may be used in combination withelements of the other embodiments, and that the possible embodiments ofsuch apparatus, systems, and methods using combinations of features setforth herein is not limited to the specific embodiments shown in thefigures and/or described herein. Further, it will be recognized that theembodiments described herein may include many elements that are notnecessarily shown to scale. Still further, it will be recognized thatthe size and shape of various elements herein may be modified but stillfall within the scope of the present disclosure, although certain one ormore shapes and/or sizes, or types of elements, may be advantageous overothers.

Exemplary implements, implement systems, and methods described hereinmay be configured to engage a ground surface and form a pluralityreservoirs in the ground surface. The exemplary implements may includeroller apparatus, and the roller apparatus may include a plurality ofground displacing elements shaped, sized, and/or configured in manydifferent ways which will be described herein with respect to FIGS. 1-9.

As used herein, a “reservoir” may be defined as an indentation, recess,and/or cavity formed within a ground surface configured such that watermay be collected and/or held therein.

An exemplary implement 10 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C may include a mountportion 20, an extension member 30, and a roller apparatus 40. The mountportion 20 may be configured to be coupled to a vehicle (not shown),such as a tractor, to couple the exemplary implement 10 to the vehicle.The vehicle may be used to pull the implement between rows of vegetationor crops to form a plurality of reservoirs between the rows using theimplement 10. To provide the coupling between the implement 10 and avehicle, the mount portion 20 may include one or more mounting brackets22 configured to be coupled, or attached, to a portion of a vehicle. Asshown, the mounting brackets 22 may define a plurality of apertures, oropenings, 24 through which fasteners, such as bolts, may extend tocouple the brackets 22 to the vehicle.

The mount portion 20 may not be directly coupled to a vehicle, andinstead, may be coupled to apparatus that is coupled to the vehicle. Forexample, the mount portion 20 may be coupled to frame apparatus, suchas, e.g., a beam, or other support member, which may be coupled to thevehicle, such as described herein with respect to FIG. 8. In one or moreembodiments, exemplary frame apparatus may be raised or lowered by thevehicle so as to raise or lower the implement 10 to engage a groundsurface. For example, the mount portion 20 may be couplable to and/orcoupled to a frame apparatus that extends transverse to the forwardmoving direction of a vehicle and the frame apparatus may be coupled toa hydraulic system of the vehicle to raise and lower the implement 10when used in conjunction with the vehicle.

The mount portion 20 may be configured to transmit force to the rollerapparatus 40 from the vehicle to maintain engagement between the rollerapparatus 40 and a ground surface 12 when the roller apparatus 40 isrolled over the ground surface 12 as shown in FIG. 1C. For example, thevehicle may provide a force, or may allow the mass of the implement 10itself to provide a force, to direct the roller apparatus 40 inengagement with the ground surface 12 when in use, and the mount portion20 may facilitate, or transmit, that force to the roller apparatus 40.Additionally, the mount portion 20 may be configured to transmit forceto the roller apparatus 40 by being biased in a clockwise directionabout a pivot axis 14 as shown by arrow 15 when viewing the implement 10from the side as shown in FIG. 1C. Other methods of transmitting forceto the roller apparatus 40 may be used such as, e.g., airbags, a bellowssuspension system, a torsional spring system, a linear spring actuatorsystem, or a rotary or linear hydraulic actuator/accumulator system,etc.

The extension member 30 may extend from a proximal end portion 32 to adistal end portion 34 and may be pivotally coupled to the mount portionabout the pivot axis 14. As used herein, “pivotally coupled” may bedefined as a coupling between objects such that the objects areconfigured for pivotal movement in relation to each other. As depicted,the mount portion 20 may be pivotally coupled to the proximal endportion 32 of the extension member 30 through the use of an elongatetorsion assembly 80 (see, e.g., a “Henschen” suspension as described inU.S. Pat. No. 3,436,069 entitled “Bearing Assembly for Elastic Joints”and issued to Henschen on Apr. 1, 1969 and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2007/0024016 A1 entitled “Parallel Torsion Suspension Assembly”published on Feb. 1, 2007, each of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties), which is shown in more detail in FIG.1D.

The elongate torsion assembly 80 may extend along the pivot axis 14 andbe configured to provide down pressure, or downward force, to the rollerapparatus 40. The elongate torsion assembly 80 may also act as asuspension, by limiting travel and damping movement and vibrations, whenthe roller apparatus 40 of the implement 10 is rolled across a groundsurface 12. The elongated torsion assembly 80 may include a firstelongate member 82 fixedly coupled to the mount portion 20, and a secondelongate member 88 fixedly coupled to the extension member 30. The firstelongate member 82 may include an upper portion 84 and a lower portion86 configured to be coupled together to “sandwich” the second elongatemember 88 therebetween. The elongate torsion assembly 80 may furtherinclude a plurality of cushioning rods 90 located between the first andsecond elongate members 82, 88. The cushioning rods 90 may be configuredto allow movement of the first elongate member 82 relative to the secondelongate member 88 about the pivot axis 14 in either direction asindicated by arrow 92. As such, the elongated torsion assembly 80 may beconfigured to allow movement of the mount portion 20 relative toextension member 30, and vice versa, about the pivot axis 14 in eitherdirection as indicated by arrow 92.

In other words, the elongated torsion assembly 80 may include twoelongate members, a first elongate member 82 and a second elongatemember 88, which may be of similar length, but may differ in crosssection size or shape such that the first and second elongate members82, 88 may be generally concentrically arranged about the pivot axis 14with shock absorbing and/or travel limiting cushioning rods 90 (a rod ofany suitable shape may be used) located therebetween. In someembodiments, the first elongate member 82 may reside or may be locatedwithin the second elongate member 88 as opposed to the second elongatemember 88 residing or located within the first elongate member 82.

In at least one embodiment, the cushioning rods 90 may extend the fulllength of the first elongate member 82 and the second elongate member88. In other embodiments the cushioning rods 90 may be formed insegments and or pieces and may be located at the end regions of elongatemembers 82 and 88. In some embodiments, the cushioning rods 90 mayextend greater than or equal to 40% of the length of the first andsecond elongate members 82, 88, greater than or equal to 50% of thelength of the first and second elongate members 82, 88, greater than orequal to 75% of the length of the first and second elongate members 82,88, or greater than or equal to 90% of the length of the first andsecond elongate members 82, 88. Additionally, the cushioning rods 90 mayextend less than or equal to 100% of the length of the first and secondelongate members 82, 88, less than or equal to 90% of the length of thefirst and second elongate members 82, 88, less than or equal to 75% ofthe length of the first and second elongate members 82, 88, or less thanor equal to 50% of the length of the first and second elongate members82, 88.

In other embodiments, such as depicted in FIGS. 5A-5C, the mount portionmay be pivotally coupled to the proximal end portion of the extensionmember through the use of, for example, a spring, a strut, a shockabsorber, a linear spring/damper system, a rotary or linear hydraulicactuator/accumulator system or any suitable suspension element or systemor combination of such elements or systems, etc.

The extension member 30 may be made, or formed of, metal such as steel,aluminum, cast iron, plastic (e.g., for example, fiber-reinforced orglass-filled) or any other suitable material. Further, the extensionmember 30 may be formed by cutting (e.g., laser cutting, stamping,blanking, water-jet cutting, or plasma cutting, etc.) a sheet ofmaterial and then bending, or forming, the sheet of material into theshape depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C. Additionally, the extension member 30 maybe formed using any suitable method including casting, forging orinjection molding. As shown, one or more cutouts 36 may be defined, orformed, in the extension member 30 to, e.g., reduce weight, provideaccess points for serviceability, provide debris cleanout and/orflow-through for debris, etc.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, the extension member 30 may include one ormore stiffening members 38 to, e.g., reinforce the strength of theextension member 30. The stiffening members 38 may be formed by coupling(e.g., by welding, riveting or otherwise fastening process)reinforcement material to the extension member 30, or by the creation ofstiffening features within the extension member 30. The stiffeningmembers 38 may restrict bending, twisting or other undesirabledeformation of the extension member 30 from occurring. The distal endportion 34 of the extension member may extend towards the ground surface12 (e.g., the distal end portion 34 may be angled towards a groundsurface 12, etc., as shown in FIG. 1C) and may be coupled to the rollerapparatus 40 to locate the roller apparatus 40 proximate the groundsurface 12 such that the roller apparatus 40 may engage and contact theground 12 (e.g., for example, continuously, to ensure that the rollerapparatus 40 outer surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 41 maintainscontact with the ground surface 12 and does not bounce off the groundsurface 12, or intermittently, so that the roller apparatus 40 or theouter surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 41 maintains contact withthe ground surface 12 at least a portion of the time) when in use.

The roller apparatus 40 may be configured to engage and lift groundmaterial to disperse the ground material and form a plurality ofreservoirs in the ground surface 12 as the implement 10 traverses theground surface 12. As the roller apparatus 40 traverses the groundsurface 12, the roller apparatus 40 may roll over the ground surface 12.To facilitate the rotational motion of the roller apparatus 40, theroller apparatus 40 may be rotatably coupled to the distal end portion34 of the extension member 30 about a roller axis 16. As used herein,“rotatably coupled” may be defined as a coupling between objects suchthat the objects are rotatable in relation to each other.

The roller apparatus 40 may include a cylindrical portion 41 defining anouter surface 43 and a plurality of ground displacing elements 60 (e.g.,soil displacing elements). The cylindrical portion 41 may extend from afirst end portion 42 to a second end portion 44 defining a roller width47. The roller width 47 (e.g., for example, a roller width sized to bepositioned between crop rows) may be about 8 inches to about 42 inches,such as, e.g., about 8 inches, about 12 inches, about 21 inches, about22 inches, about 24 inches, about 42 inches, or any size in betweenthose described herein, but not limited thereto, etc., and may bedependent on the distance between crop rows for which the implement isintended to be used. Each of the first end portion 42 and the second endportion 44 may be rotatably coupled to the extension member 30 about theroller axis 16 such that the roller apparatus 40 is rotatably coupled tothe extension member 30.

The plurality of ground displacing elements 60 may be coupled to thecylindrical portion 41 and extend outwardly from the outer surface 43 ofthe cylindrical portion 41. The plurality of ground displacing elements60 may be configured to extend into the ground, or beyond the groundsurface 12, to engage and lift ground material when the outer surface 43of the cylindrical portion 41 is engaged with the ground surface 12 asthe roller apparatus 40 and portions thereof such as the cylindricalportion 41 are rolled over the ground surface 12. After the groundmaterial is lifted by the ground displacing elements 60, the grounddisplacing elements 60 may disperse the ground material. In one or moreembodiments, the ground material may dispersed to the sides of theroller apparatus 40, e.g., direction traverse to the forward movingmotion of the vehicle.

As noted, the outer surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 41 may beconfigured to engage the ground surface 12 when the cylindrical portion41 is rolled over the ground surface 12 as shown in FIG. 1C. As usedherein, “engage a ground surface” may be defined as touching, orcontacting, the ground surface 12 while the object is in use. Forexample, when the outer surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 41 of theroller apparatus 40 engages the ground surface 12, at least a portion ofthe outer surface 43 may touch, or be in contact, with the groundsurface 12 at least a portion of the time when in use. Further, in oneembodiment, the exemplary implement 10 may be configured such that theouter surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 41 engages, or contacts, theground continuously or intermittently when in use (e.g., the suspensionapparatus coupling the mount portion 20 to the extension member 30 maytransmit force to the roller apparatus 40 to provide continuous orintermittent engagement between the outer surface 43 of the cylindricalportion 41 and the ground surface 12).

The cylindrical portion 41 of the roller apparatus 40 may define anenclosure (e.g., a hollow drum). For example, in some embodiments, thecylindrical portion 41 may be enclosed by circular disks 45 proximateeach end portion 42, 44 to form an enclosed cylindrical portion orenclosure. In some embodiments, the enclosure may define a sealableopening 51 enabling a user to fill the enclosure with mass-increasingmaterial, and to contain the mass-increasing material within thecylindrical portion, which may enable more force or pressure to beapplied to the ground surface 12 by the roller apparatus 40. Forexample, such an enclosure may be configured to hold fluid material,solid material, or a combination of the two, and may include, but is notlimited to, materials such as water, sand, calcium chloride, methanol,ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol, etc.

As described herein, the plurality of ground displacing elements 60 mayengage and lift ground material, disperse the ground material, and forma plurality of reservoirs in the ground surface 12. Exemplary rollerapparatuses 40 may include any number of ground displacing elements 60.As shown, the roller apparatus 40 includes four ground displacingelements 60. In one or more embodiments, the roller apparatus 40 mayinclude 2 or more ground displacing elements 60, 3 or more grounddisplacing elements 60, 4 or more ground displacing elements 60, 6 ormore ground displacing elements 60, 8 or more ground displacing elements60, 10 or more ground displacing elements 60, 12 or more grounddisplacing elements 60, 14 or more ground displacing elements 60, 15 ormore ground displacing elements 60, 16 or more ground displacingelements 60, 18 or more ground displacing elements 60, 20 or more grounddisplacing elements 60, 25 or more ground displacing elements 60, etc.In one or more embodiments, the roller apparatus 40 may include 40 orless ground displacing elements 60, 30 or less ground displacingelements 60, 26 or less ground displacing elements 60, 24 or less grounddisplacing elements 60, 19 or less ground displacing elements 60, 16 orless ground displacing elements 60, 12 or less ground displacingelements 60, 10 or less ground displacing elements 60, 8 or less grounddisplacing elements 60, 6 or less ground displacing elements 60, 5 orless ground displacing elements 60, etc.

The plurality of ground displacing elements 60 may be spaced in variousmanners and locations about the cylindrical portion 41. For example, asshown in FIG. 1C, the four ground displacing elements 60 are located andspaced equally, equidistantly, and/or equiangularly about thecylindrical portion 60 and the roller axis 16. The four grounddisplacing elements 60 of the exemplary implement 10 may be described asbeing spaced and located 90° apart from one another.

The ground displacing elements 60 may come in many forms, shapes, and/orsizes so as to be configured to engage ground material and lift theground material to disperse the ground material and form a pluralityreservoirs in the ground surface 12 when the outer surface 43 of thecylindrical portion 41 is engaged with the ground surface 12 when rolledover the ground surface 12. When the ground displacing elements 60engage with ground material, each of the ground displacing elements 60may be described as contacting the ground surface and extending into(e.g., beyond) the ground surface 12 so as to displace, or grab, aportion of ground material from below the ground surface 12. After theground material has been acquired by the ground displacing element 60,the ground displacing element 60 may lift the ground material above theground surface 12 and disperse the material such that a reservoir iscreated, or formed, in the ground surface 12. In one or moreembodiments, the ground material that is lifted from the ground may bedispersed such that all, a majority of, or a portion of the groundmaterial is not dispersed back into the reservoir that was created(e.g., may form mounds between the reservoirs in any direction, such asbetween reservoirs within the path of travel of the roller apparatus, oroutside the path of travel of the roller apparatus).

Each ground displacing element 60 may include a blade portion 62 and oneor more attachment portions 64 coupled to the blade portion 62. The oneor more attachment portions 64 may be coupled to the cylindrical portion41 of the roller apparatus 40 to hold, or position, the blade portion 62with respect to the cylindrical portion 41. The blade portion 62 of aground displacing element 60 may define a ground lifting surface 66 anda rear surface 68 opposite the ground lifting surface 66. An elementthickness 69 may be defined between the rear surface 68 and the groundlifting surface 66. In at least one embodiment, the element thickness 69may be about 3/16 inch to about ½ inch (i.e., about 0.1875 to about 0.5inches).

The element width 70 of the ground displacing element 60 may be definedas the distance extending parallel to the roller axis 16 between a firstedge 72 of the blade portion 62 and a second edge 74 of the bladeportion 62 as shown in FIG. 1B. The element width 70 may be about 8inches to about 42 inches, such as, e.g., about 8 inches, about 12inches, about 21 inches, about 22 inches, about 24 inches, about 42inches, or any width in between those described herein, but not limitedthereto, etc.

The element thickness 69 may be defined in relative terms with respectto the element width 70. For example, the element thickness 69 may besubstantially smaller than the element width 70 of the ground displacingelement 60. In other words, the element width 70 of the grounddisplacing element 60 may be greater than the element thickness 69.

The element length 71 of the ground displacing element 60 may be definedas the distance extending perpendicular to the roller axis 16 from thelocation where the ground displacing element 60 is attached to the outersurface 43 (e.g., a tangential point) of the cylindrical portion 41 to adistal edge 73 of the blade portion 62 as shown in FIG. 1C. As shown,the element width 70 is greater than the element length 71. The elementlength 71 may be about 5 inches to about 16 inches, such as, e.g., about6 inches, about 8 inches, about 10 inches, about 12 inches, about 14inches, about 15 inches, about 16 inches, etc. In one or moreembodiments, the element length 71 may be greater than or equal to about1 inch, greater than or equal to about 2 inches, greater than or equalto about 3 inches, greater than or equal to about 4 inches, greater thanor equal to about 5 inches, greater than or equal to about 6 inches,greater than or equal to about 7 inches, greater than or equal to about8 inches, greater than or equal to about 9 inches, greater than or equalto about 10 inches, greater than or equal to about 11 inches, greaterthan or equal to about 12 inches, greater than or equal to about 13inches, greater than or equal to about 14 inches, greater than or equalto about 15 inches, etc. In one or more embodiments, the element length71 may be less than or equal to about 1.5 inches, less than or equal toabout 2.5 inches, less than or equal to about 3.5 inches, less than orequal to about 4.5 inches, less than or equal to about 5.5 inches, lessthan or equal to about 6.5 inches, less than or equal to about 7.5inches, less than or equal to about 8.5 inches, less than or equal toabout 9.5 inches, less than or equal to about 10.5 inches, less than orequal to about 11.5 inches, less than or equal to about 12.5 inches,less than or equal to about 13.5 inches, less than or equal to about14.5 inches, less than or equal to about 15.5 inches, less than or equalto about 16 inches, less than or equal to about 18 inches, less than orequal to about 20 inches, less than or equal to about 22 inches, lessthan or equal to about 24 inches, etc.

The size of the ground displacing elements 60 may be defined in relativeterms with respect to the size of cylindrical portion 41. For example,as shown in the exemplary implement 10 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C, theelement width 70 may be approximately equal to the roller width 47. Inother embodiments, the element width 70 may be greater than or less thanthe roller width 47. For example, the element width 70 may be greaterthan or equal to 50% of the roller width 47, greater than or equal 60%of the roller width 47, greater than or equal to 75% of the roller width47, greater than or equal to 90% of the roller width 47, or greater thanor equal to 100% of the roller width 47. Further, for example, theelement width 70 may be less than or equal to 150% of the roller width47, less than or equal 125% of the roller width 47, less than or equalto 100% of the roller width 47, less than or equal to 90% of the rollerwidth 47, or less than or equal to 75% of the roller width 47.

Further, the size of the ground displacing element 60 may be defined interms of a radius 49 of the cylindrical portion 41 that extends betweenthe roller axis 16 and the outer surface 43 of the cylindrical portion41. For example, in some embodiments, the element length 71 of theground displacing element 60 may be greater than or equal to the radius49 of the cylindrical portion 41. For example, the radius 49 of thecylindrical portion 41 may be in the range of about 6 inches to 9inches, such as, e.g., about 6 inches, about 7 inches, about 8 inches,or about 9 inches, etc. As shown in FIG. 1C, the blade portion 62 of theground displacing element 60 extends into and below the ground surface12, as indicated by a blade penetration depth 76 (e.g., the depth theblade portion extends below the ground surface, such as the distance theblade extends or penetrates below a point, axis or plane of contactbetween the cylindrical portion 41 and the ground surface 12). The bladepenetration depth may be less than the length of the blade portion 62.The blade penetration depth 76 may be, for example, in the range ofabout 1 inch to about 24 inches, or any depth in between those describedherein. In one or more embodiments, the blade penetration depth 76 maybe greater than or equal to about 1 inch, greater than or equal to about2 inches, greater than or equal to about 3 inches, greater than or equalto about 4 inches, greater than or equal to about 5 inches, greater thanor equal to about 6 inches, greater than or equal to about 7 inches,greater than or equal to about 8 inches, greater than or equal to about9 inches, greater than or equal to about 10 inches, greater than orequal to about 11 inches, greater than or equal to about 12 inches,greater than or equal to about 13 inches, greater than or equal to about14 inches, greater than or equal to about 15 inches, etc. In one or moreembodiments, the element length 76 may be less than or equal to about1.5 inches, less than or equal to about 2.5 inches, less than or equalto about 3.5 inches, less than or equal to about 4.5 inches, less thanor equal to about 5.5 inches, less than or equal to about 6.5 inches,less than or equal to about 7.5 inches, less than or equal to about 8.5inches, less than or equal to about 9.5 inches, less than or equal toabout 10.5 inches, less than or equal to about 11.5 inches, less than orequal to about 12.5 inches, less than or equal to about 13.5 inches,less than or equal to about 14.5 inches, less than or equal to about15.5 inches, less than or equal to about 16 inches, less than or equalto about 18 inches, less than or equal to about 20 inches, less than orequal to about 22 inches, less than or equal to about 24 inches, etc.

The ground lifting surface 66 may be configured to engage and liftground material to disperse the ground material and form a plurality ofreservoirs in the ground surface when the outer surface 43 of thecylindrical portion 41 is engaged with the ground surface 12 as thecylindrical portion 41 is rolled over the ground surface 12. The groundlifting surface 66 is the portion of the ground displacing element 60that may be described as being configured to dig, remove, separate,break apart, and/or lift the ground material out of the ground, andsubsequently disperse the ground material.

The blade portion 62, and/or the ground lifting surface 66 of the bladeportion 62, may come in many shapes and sizes. For example, the bladeportion 62 and/or the ground lifting surface 66 may be substantiallyplanar as shown in the exemplary implement 10 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C.In other words, the blade portion 62 and the ground lifting surface 66lie, or extend, along a single plane. In other embodiments, the bladeportion 62 and/or the ground lifting surface 66 may be non-planar suchas, e.g. curved, cambered, convex, concave, angled, etc. Additionally,the blade portion 62 may include more than one portion that arepositioned with respect to one another to provide a ground liftingsurface 66 lying in more than one plane, each portion angled withrespect to one another.

The blade portion 62, and in turn, the ground lifting surface 66, ofeach of the ground displacing elements 60 may be configured to extendtangentially with respect to the cylindrical portion 41. In other words,the blade portion 62 may be coupled to the cylindrical portion 41 in atangential orientation, or a substantially tangential orientation. Forexample, each blade portion 62 may extend from the cylindrical portion41 along a plane that is tangential to the outer surface 43 of thecylindrical portion 41. In other embodiments, such as those describedherein with respect to FIGS. 4A-4B, the blade portions and/or groundlifting surfaces may also extend radially, or at any suitable angle,from the cylindrical portion.

The attachment portions 64 of the ground displacing elements 60 mayprovide coupling of the blade portions 62 to the cylindrical portion 41of the roller apparatus 40. In at least one embodiment, the attachmentportions 64 may be fixedly coupled (e.g., for example, welded) to thecylindrical portion 41 such that, e.g., the blade portions 62 of theground displacing elements 60 may be removed and replaced (e.g., theblade portions 62 may be attached to the attachment portions 64 byfasteners 165, e.g., such as, screws, bolts, nuts, etc.). In at leastone other embodiment, the attachment portions 64 may be removablycoupled to the cylindrical portion 41 such that, e.g., the grounddisplacing elements 60 including both the blade portions 62 and theattachment portions 64 may be removable from the cylindrical portion 41and/or replaced by another ground displacing element.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, each ground displacing element 60 may includefour attachment portions 64. In other embodiments, each of the grounddisplacing elements 60 may include less than 4 attachment portions 64(e.g., such as 1 attachment portion, 2 attachment portions, and 3attachment portions) or more than 4 attachment portions (e.g., such as 5attachment portions, 6 attachment portions, 8 attachment portions,etc.). In at least one embodiment, the ground displacing elements 60 maynot include an attachment portion 64 and the blade portion 62 may bedirectly coupled to the cylindrical portion 41. Each of the attachmentportions 64 of the ground displacing elements 60 of the exemplaryimplement 10 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C are coupled or attached to the sideof the blade portion 62 that defines the ground lifting surface 66(e.g., located on the counterclockwise side of the blade portion asviewed in FIG. 1C).

In other embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 3-4, the one moreattachment portions may be attached, or coupled, to the side of theblade portion defining the rear surface, which may be described as thenon-working surface of the blade (e.g., located on the clockwise side ofthe blade portion as viewed in FIG. 4B).

Although the ground displacing elements 60, or members, are describedherein as extending from the cylindrical portion 41 and/or the outersurface 43 of the cylindrical portion 41, the blade portions 62 of theground displacing elements 60 may or may not extend completely to theouter surface 43 of the cylindrical portion 41. For example, a gap 75may be present between the blade portion 62 and the outer surface 43 ofthe cylindrical portion 41. In other words, while the attachmentportions 64 of the ground displacing elements 60 may be in contact with,or coupled to, the cylindrical portion 41, the blade portions 62 may notbe in contact, or touch, the outer surface 43 of the cylindrical portion41.

Another exemplary implement 110 is depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C. Severalfeatures and/or portions of the exemplary implement 110 may be similarto the exemplary implement 10 described herein with reference to FIGS.1A-1D. For example, the mount portion 120, extension member 130,cylindrical portion 141 of the roller apparatus 140, and attachmentportions 164 of the ground displacing elements 160 of the exemplaryimplement 110 may be similar to the mount portion 20, extension member30, cylindrical portion 41 of the roller apparatus 40, and attachmentportions 64 of the ground displacing elements 60 of the exemplaryimplement 10 of FIGS. 1A-1D. As such, such features and/or portions arenot further described herein, and it is to be understood that one ormore such features and/or portions may be used interchangeably betweeneach and every embodiment described herein.

The exemplary implement 110 may include a plurality of ground displacingelements 160 that are configured differently than the ground displacingelements 60 of the exemplary implement 10 described herein withreference to FIGS. 1A-1D. More specifically, the blade portions 162 ofthe ground displacing elements 160 of the exemplary implement 110 areshaped differentially than the blade portions 62 of the grounddisplacing elements 60 of the exemplary implement 10.

Each of the ground displacing elements 160 may include a blade portion162 and one or more attachment portions 164. As shown, each grounddisplacing element 160 includes two attachment portions 164 configuredto attach the blade portion 162 to the cylindrical portion 141. As shownin FIGS. 2A-2C, the blade portion 162 and, in turn, the ground liftingsurface 166, of the ground displacing elements 160 are bent, or angled,so as to define a first portion 190 and a second portion 192. The groundlifting surface 166 of each of the first portion 190 and the secondportion 192 may lie, or extend within, different planes than each otheras shown in the cross sectional view of the blade portion 162 in FIG.2C.

The first portion 190 and the second portion 192 may be angled withrespect to each other so as to be described as being non-planar, or notlying substantially in a single plane. For example, the first portion190 may lie in a first plane 191 and the second portion 192 may lie in asecond plane 193, and the first plane 191 may be different, or intersectwith, the second plane 193 defining an angle 195. The angle 195 betweenthe first portion 190 and the second portion 192 may be between about185 degrees to about 265 degrees. For example, the angle 195 may begreater than or equal to about 185 degrees, greater than or equal toabout 200 degrees, greater than or equal to about 210 degrees, greaterthan or equal to about 220 degrees, greater than or equal to about 230degrees, or greater than or equal to about 240 degrees or more. Further,for example, the angle 195 may be less than or equal to about 265degrees, less than or equal to about 255 degrees, less than or equal toabout 245 degrees, less than or equal to about 225 degrees, or less thanor equal to about 200 degrees, or any angle in between those listedabove, but not limited thereto.

The first plane 191 and the second plane 193 may be described asintersecting at an apex 197. A tip portion of the apex 197 (FIGS. 2A and2C) that is most distal from the cylindrical portion 141 may be thefirst portion of the blade 162 to contact the ground surface 12 when theimplement 110 is being used to form reservoirs. In other words, theblade portion 162 may be pointed like a shovel (see, e.g., chisel tip297 in FIG. 4A).

As shown in FIG. 2C, after the ground lifting surface 166 has liftedground material from the ground, the ground lifting surface 166 maydisperse ground material outside of the roller width, generally ineither direction parallel to the roller axis 16 as shown by arrows 199.In other words, the non-planar or angled, ground lifting surface 166 ofthe implement 110 of FIGS. 2A-2C may be configured to disperse groundmaterial in lateral directions, or directions orthogonal to thedirection the vehicle is traveling. Dispersion of ground material, orsoil, in these lateral directions may move ground material (e.g., createmounds of ground material) outside the width of the roller apparatus140, and outside the roller apparatuses 140 path of travel.

Another exemplary implement 111 is depicted in FIG. 3, which may besimilar to the implement 110 described herein with respect to FIGS.2A-2C. The exemplary implement 111 may be different from the implement110. For example, the exemplary implement 111 may define apertures, oropenings, 163 in the blade portions 162 of the ground displacingelements 160. The apertures 163 in the blade portions 162 may allow someground material to pass through the blade portions 162. For example, theapertures 163 (e.g., may be positioned adjacent the cylindrical portion141) may be configured to prevent a buildup of ground material in aregion of the blade portion 162 proximal to the cylindrical portion 141.Generally, the ground material may be dispersed as described with regardto the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C, however, in this embodiment, someground material may also pass through the apertures 163 in the bladeportions 162. Further, the apertures 163 may also provide additionaltillage or breaking up of the ground material. Additionally, theapertures 163 may further reduce the weight of the blade portion 162.

Further, for example, the exemplary implement 111 of FIG. 3 may includeattachment portions 164 that are attached, or coupled, to the rearsurface 168 of the blade portion 162 (e.g., for example, located on theclockwise side of the blade portion as viewed in FIG. 3). Attachmentportions 164 coupled to the cylindrical portion in this arrangement mayreduce the amount of ground material that may be captured or clogged upin the attachment portions 164 or between the cylindrical portion 141and the ground lifting surface 162.

Another exemplary implement 210 is depicted in FIGS. 4A-4B. Severalfeatures and/or portions of the exemplary implement 210 may be similarto the exemplary implement 10 described herein with reference to FIGS.1A-1D and the exemplary implement 110 described herein with reference toFIGS. 2A-2C. For example, the mount portion 220, extension member 230,cylindrical portion 241 of the roller apparatus 240, and attachmentportions 264 of the ground displacing elements 260 of the exemplaryimplement 210 may be similar to the mount portion 20, extension member30, cylindrical portion 41 of the roller apparatus 40, and attachmentportions 64 of the ground displacing elements 60 of the exemplaryimplement 10 of FIGS. 1A-1D. Further, for example, the shape andconfiguration of the blade portions 262 of the ground displacingelements 260 may be similar to the shape and configuration of the bladeportions 162 of the ground displacing elements 160 of the exemplaryimplement 110 of FIGS. 2A-2C. As such, such features and/or portions arenot further described herein, and it is to be understood that one ormore such features and/or portions may be used interchangeably betweeneach and every embodiment described herein.

The ground displacing elements 260 of the roller apparatus 240 of theexemplary implement 210 may be described as extending radially from thecylindrical portion 241 (e.g., from the outer surface 243) as opposed totangentially as in the embodiments described herein with respect toFIGS. 1-3. In other words, the plane in which the ground displacingelement 260 lies or partially lies, may not be tangential to thecylindrical portion 241, and instead, may extend through the roller axis16. Additionally, the element length 270 as shown in FIG. 4B extendingfrom the cylindrical surface 243 to the distal end of the grounddisplacing element 260 may be smaller than the element length 71 of theground displacing members 60 described herein with reference to FIG. 1C.In this embodiment, the element length 270 may be about 6 inches toabout 9 inches such, as, e.g., about 6 inches, about 7 inches, about 8inches, or about 9 inches, etc. Additionally, the element length 270 maybe described in terms relative to the radius 272 of the cylindricalportion 241. For example, the element length 270 in this embodiment maybe less than or equal to the radius 272.

Exemplary implements may utilize various different types of suspensionsystems and apparatus to couple the mount portion to the extensionmember to transmit, transform and/or apply down pressure and/or maintaincontinuous contact between the roller apparatus and the ground surface.For example, the exemplary implement 310 depicted in FIGS. 5A-5C mayinclude a suspension system 380 that utilizes a spring 382 (or othersuitable suspension component) configured to provide suspension and biasabout the pivot axis 14 between the mount portion 320 and the extensionmember 330.

Additionally, the roller apparatus 340 of the exemplary implement 310includes a cylindrical portion 341 and a plurality of ground displacingelements 360 that are different than the ground displacing elementsdescribed herein with reference to FIGS. 1-4. The ground displacingelements 360 of the roller apparatus 340 may be configured to engage andcompress ground material to disperse the ground material to provide aplurality of reservoirs when the roller apparatus 340 engages the groundsurface. In some embodiments, the roller apparatus 340 may not beconfigured to pass in between rows of crops, but may, for example, havea long roller length that is greater than multiple crop rows.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 5C and 6A-6B, each of the of theplurality of ground displacing elements 360 may define an opening 362extending therethrough configured to receive a fastener 363 such as,e.g., a bolt to couple the ground displacing element to the cylindricalportion 341. As such, the ground displacing elements 360 may bedescribed as being removably couplable to and/or removably coupled tothe cylindrical portion 341.

The ground displacing elements 360 may further define a plurality ofground displacing surfaces 366 and a bottom surface 368. The bottomsurface 368 may be configured to be positioned adjacent the outersurface 343 of the cylindrical portion 341. As shown, the bottom surface368 may be curved to match the curve of the cylindrical portion 341.Additionally, the ground displacing elements 360 may define a retentionportion 364 protruding from the bottom surface 368 configured to matewith an opening of the cylindrical portion 341 as described herein withreference to FIGS. 7A-7B.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the exemplary cylindrical portion 341 maydefine a plurality of secondary openings 392 (e.g., any shaped openings,or combination of openings, including holes, slots, or any othersuitable openings) and a plurality of keyhole-shaped openings 394 (e.g.,shaped openings providing the functionality described herein including alarger opening region adjacent a smaller opening region; such openingregions having an suitable shape). One secondary opening 392 and onekeyhole-shaped opening 394 paired together may be configured to receivethe retention portion 364 and a fastener 363 of a ground displacingelement 360, respectively, to removably couple the ground displacingelement 360 to the cylindrical portion 341. For example, each of theplurality of ground displacing elements 360 may be removably coupled tothe cylindrical portion 341 using a secondary opening 392 and akeyhole-shaped opening 394.

More specifically, as shown in the enlarged region 390 of FIG. 7B, eachfastener 363 may be configured to extend through the opening 362 of theground displacing element 360. During attachment, the fastener 363 maybe first located in a circular region 396 of the keyhole-shaped opening394 such that the head of the bolt may be placed through the circularregion 396 and then the ground displacing element may be slid in thedirection of arrow 399 such that the fastener 363 may be located in aslot region 398 of the keyhole-shaped opening 394. When fastener 363 islocated in the slot region 398, the retention portion 364 may line upwith and be received by the secondary opening 392 to, e.g., assist inretaining the ground displacing element 360 coupled to the cylindricalportion 341. As shown, the diameter of the circular region 396 may belarger than a width of the slot region 398, e.g., to accept a head of abolt.

Another exemplary attachment, or coupling, arrangement 391 is depictedin FIG. 7C. In this example, each ground displacing element may beremovable attached, or coupled, to the cylindrical portion, which may besimilar to the exemplary cylindrical portion 341. The cylindricalportion of the exemplary arrangement 391, however, includes, or defines,two keyhole-shaped openings 394 and two secondary openings 392 forattachment, or coupling, of each of the ground displacing elements. Eachof the two keyhole-shaped openings 394 may further define a largerregion 393 and a slot region 398. The larger region 393 of the key-holeshaped openings 394 may be configured to direct, or funnel, a fastener363 to the slot region 398 when the ground displacing element is beingattached, or coupled, to the cylindrical portion. The use of twokeyhole-shaped openings 394 and two secondary openings 392 may allow, orprovide, a more secured attachment or coupling of the ground displacingelements to the cylindrical portion. It is to be understood that anynumber of keyhole-shaped openings 394 and secondary openings 392 may beused with the exemplary embodiments described herein. Further, in someembodiments, the number, or amount, of key-hole shaped openings 394 maynot be the same as the number, or amount, of secondary openings 392.

An exemplary implement system 400 may include a frame apparatus 420 anda plurality of implements 410 coupled to the frame apparatus 420. Theframe apparatus 420 may include one or more various structures such as,e.g., a beam, etc., that are configured to couple the system 400 to avehicle. As shown, the plurality of implements 410 may be arranged andmounted to the frame apparatus 420 in a spaced apart arrangement alongthe frame apparatus 420 to facilitate the implements 410 passing inbetween rows of crops represented by lines 413, e.g., so as not todamage the crops and create reservoirs in the ground between the rows ofcrops when the system 400 traverses across a ground surface.

In any of the embodiments discussed herein, one or more ground breakingapparatus (e.g., sweep blades, row crop sweeps, chisel elements, orsweep cultivators) may be coupled to any of the implements or systemsdescribed herein. The one or more ground breaking apparatus may beconfigured to break up or loosen the ground material prior to the rollerapparatus forming reservoirs in the ground surface (e.g., mounted aheadof the roller apparatus in the direction of travel).

Another exemplary implement, or implement apparatus, 910 is depicted inFIGS. 9A-9E. Several features and/or portions of the exemplaryimplement, or implement apparatus, 910 may be similar to the exemplaryimplement 10 described herein with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D. Forexample, the mount portion 520, extension member 530, cylindricalportion 541 of the roller apparatus 540, and torsion assembly 580 of theexemplary implement 510 may be similar to the mount portion 20,extension member 30, cylindrical portion 41 of the roller apparatus 40,and torsion assembly 80 of the exemplary implement 10 of FIGS. 1A-1D. Assuch, such features and/or portions are not further described herein,and it is to be understood that one or more such features and/orportions may be used interchangeably between each and every embodimentdescribed herein.

The exemplary implement 510 may include a plurality of ground displacingelements 560 that are configured differently than the ground displacingelements 60 of the exemplary implement 10 described herein withreference to FIGS. 1A-1D. For example, the exemplary implement 510 mayinclude 15 ground displacing elements 560 arranged in a plurality ofrows as described further herein. Further, for example, the size andshape of the ground displacing elements 560 as well as the attachment,or coupling, of the ground displacing elements 560 may be different thanthe ground displacing elements 60 of the exemplary implement 10.Nonetheless, the functionality of the ground displacing elements 560 maybe substantially similar to the functionality of the ground displacingelements 60 described herein with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D as well asthe remainder of the ground displacing elements 160, 260, 360 describedherein with reference to FIGS. 2-6. For example, the ground displacingelements 560, when used with the exemplary implement 510, may beconfigured to extend into the ground, or beyond the ground surface 12,to engage and disperse the ground material when the roller apparatus 540is engaged with the ground surface 12 as the implement 510 traverses theground surface 12. Further, it may be described that the grounddisplacing elements 560 may be configured to engage and lift groundmaterial and form a plurality of reservoirs in the ground surface. Stillfurther, the ground displacing elements 560 may be described as beingconfigured to dig, remove, separate, break apart, rip, and/or lift theground material out of the ground, and subsequently, disperse the groundmaterial.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the roller apparatus 540 may include cylindricalportion 541, which defines an outer cylindrical surface 543. Theplurality of ground displacing elements 560 may be removably coupled tothe cylindrical portion 541 (e.g., adjacent to the outer cylindricalsurface 543, in contact with the outer cylindrical surface 543, etc.).As shown in FIG. 9B, the plurality of ground displacing elements 560 maybe arranged in a plurality of rows (each row being noted as beingbetween a pair of the dotted lines 555) that circumferentially extendaround the outer cylindrical surface 543. In this embodiment, theplurality of ground displacing elements 560 may be arranged, or grouped,in three rows. In other embodiments, the plurality of ground displacingelements 560 may be arranged, or grouped, in more than three rows suchas, e.g., four rows, six rows, etc. or less than three rows such as,e.g., two rows and one row. Additionally, in this embodiment, theplurality of ground displacing elements 560 may be described as being ina staggered configuration or arrangement. For example, the plurality ofground displacing elements 560 of the left-most row in FIG. 9B may benot be coupled to the cylindrical portion 541 at the same point aboutthe circumference of the cylindrical portion 541 as the plurality ofground displacing elements 560 of the other rows such as the middle rowor right-most row. In other words, it may be described that theplurality of ground displacing elements 560 are staggered with respectto each other such that each of the plurality of ground displacingelements 560 do not extend from the same location, or point, about thecircumference of the cylindrical portion as any other of grounddisplacing elements 560 (e.g., located in other rows). Further, althoughis this embodiment, all of the plurality of ground displacing elements560 are staggered with respect to each other, it is to be understoodthat, in some embodiments, two or more rows of ground displacingelements 560 may be aligned with each other (e.g. located at the samepoint, or location, about the circumference of the cylindrical portion541).

Each of the ground displacing elements 560 may include a blade portion562 and an attachment portion 564 coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled,integral to, etc.) to the blade portion 562. The attachment portion 564may be removably coupled to the cylindrical portion 541. Morespecifically, the attachment portion 564 may be removably coupled to thecylindrical portion 541 such that the attachment portion 564 isadjacent, or in contact with, at least a region or section of the outercylindrical surface 543 of the cylindrical portion 541.

To provide the removable coupling between the attachment portion 564 andthe cylindrical portion 541, the attachment portion 564 may define anopening 567 configured to receive a fastener 565 as shown in FIG. 9Dwhich shows one ground displacing element 560 un-coupled from thecylindrical portion 541. The fastener 565 may be configured to be used,or in conjunction, with a keyhole-shaped opening 594 that extendsthrough the outer cylindrical surface 543 of the cylindrical portion 541similar to as described herein with respect to FIGS. 7A-7C. Further, thecylindrical portion 541 may further define a secondary opening 592 foreach of the ground displacing elements 560. Thus, the cylindricalportion 541 may define a plurality of secondary openings 592 (e.g., anyshaped openings, or combination of openings, including holes, slots, orany other suitable openings) and a plurality of keyhole-shaped openings594 (e.g., shaped openings providing the functionality described hereinincluding a larger opening region adjacent a smaller opening region;such opening regions having an suitable shape). One secondary opening592 and one keyhole-shaped opening 594 paired together may provide thecoupling of a ground displacing element 560 to the cylindrical portion541.

More specifically, each fastener 565 may be configured to extend throughthe opening 567 of the attachment portion 564 of the ground displacingelement 560. During attachment, the fastener 565 may be first located ina larger region 597 of the keyhole-shaped opening 594 such that aportion of the fastener 565 (e.g., the head of a bolt) may be placedthrough the larger region 597 and then the ground displacing element 560may be moved such that the fastener 565 may be located in a slot region598 of the keyhole-shaped opening 594. When the fastener 565 is locatedin the slot region 598, a retention portion 569 of the attachmentportion 564 of the ground displacing element 560 may align, or “lineup,” with and be received by the secondary opening 592 to, e.g., assistin retaining the ground displacing element 560 coupled to thecylindrical portion 541. Additionally, the attachment portion 564 mayfurther include an additional retention portion 571 configured to belocated in the keyhole-shaped opening 594 (e.g., the larger region 597of the keyhole-shaped opening 594). In other words, the attachmentportion 564 of the ground displacing element 560 may include a firstretention portion 569 configured to be located in the secondary opening592 and a second retention portion 571 configured to be located in thelarger region 597 of the keyhole-shaped opening 594 to restrict, orretain, the ground displacing element 560 to the cylindrical portion541. Once the first and second retention portions 569, 571 are locatedin the secondary opening 592 and the larger region 597 of thekeyhole-shaped openings 594 and the fastener 565 extends through theopening 567 and a portion of the fastener 565 is located in the slotregion 598 of the keyhole-shaped opening 594, a nut 563, or otherrestriction device, may be coupled to the fastener 565 to couple theattachment portion 564 to the outer cylindrical surface 543 of thecylindrical portion 541.

In other words, the fastener 565 may be located in the opening 567 ofthe attachment portion 564 of the ground displacing element 560 and theground displacing element 560 may be located, or positioned, such that aportion of the fastener 565 such as a “head” of a bolt extends throughthe larger region 597 of the keyhole-shaped opening 594 (e.g., extendsthrough the outer cylindrical surface 543 of the cylindrical portion541). Then, the ground displacing element 560 may be moved to slide thefastener 565 towards the slot region 598 of the keyhole-shaped opening594 such that the portion of the fastener 565 is restricted from passingback through the keyhole-shaped opening 594 (e.g., due to the size ofthe slot region 598 being smaller than the larger region 597). Or, thefastener 565 may be located in the larger region 597 and slid into theslot region 594 prior to the ground displacing element 560 beingpositioned such that the fastener is located in the opening 567 andproximate the cylindrical portion 541. Additionally, the grounddisplacing element 560 may be moved to align the first and secondretention portions 569, 571 with the secondary opening 592 and thelarger region 597 of the keyhole-shape opening 594 such that the firstand second retention portions 569, 571 may be received by the secondaryopening 592 and the larger region 597 of the keyhole-shape opening 594,respectively. Then, a restriction device 563 such as a nut may besecured, or coupled, to the fastener 565 to complete the coupling of theattachment portion 564, and thus, the ground displacing element 560, tothe cylindrical portion 541.

Similar to the blade portion 162 of the ground displacing elements 160described herein with reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, the blade portion 562 ofthe ground displacing elements 560 defines, or includes, a groundlifting surface 568 that may be described as being bent, or angled, soas to define a first portion 590 and a second portion 593 as shown inFIG. 9E. The first portion 590 and the second portion 593 may lie, orextend within, different planes than each other so as to be described asbeing non-planar, or not lying substantially in a single plane. Forexample, the first portion 590 may lie in a first plane and the secondportion 593 may lie in a second plane, and the first plane may bedifferent, or intersect with, the second plane defining an angle. Theangle between the first portion 590 and the second portion 593 may bebetween about 185 degrees to about 300 degrees. For example, the anglemay be greater than or equal to about 185 degrees, greater than or equalto about 200 degrees, greater than or equal to about 210 degrees,greater than or equal to about 220 degrees, greater than or equal toabout 230 degrees, greater than or equal to about 240 degrees or more,greater than or equal to about 250 degrees or more, greater than orequal to about 260 degrees or more, greater than or equal to about 270degrees or more, greater than or equal to about 280 degrees or more,etc. Further, for example, the angle may be less than or equal to about330 degrees, less than or equal to about 310 degrees, less than or equalto about 300 degrees, less than or equal to about 285 degrees, less thanor equal to about 275 degrees, less than or equal to about 265 degrees,less than or equal to about 255 degrees, less than or equal to about 245degrees, less than or equal to about 225 degrees, or less than or equalto about 200 degrees, etc.

The first portion 190 and the second portion 192 may be described asintersecting at an apex 588. Further, the first portion 190 and thesecond portion 192 may be described as providing, or defining, a chiseledge 587 extending along at least a portion of the blade portion 562. Inother words, the apex 588 may define the point, or edge, of the chiseledge 587 of the blade portion 562. The chisel edge 587 may be describedas an edge of a blade or knife configured to cut into the ground surface12. The chisel edge 587 may engage the ground surface 12 prior to theremainder of the ground displacing element 560 when the roller apparatus540 is engaged with the ground surface 12 as the vehicle traverses theground.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9F, the chisel edge 587 extend around theperimeter, or at least a portion (e.g., the majority) of the perimeterof the blade portion 562. More specifically, the chisel edge 587 may bedescribed as being included or defined on the forward or leading edge601 of the blade portion 562 and the rear or trailing edge 602. Theforward edge 601 may be further described as being opposite the rearwardedge 602 as, e.g., the forward edge 601 may face the direction ofrotation while the rearward edge 602 may face opposite the direction ofrotation of the cylindrical portion. The chisel edge 587 may bedescribed as extending entirely around the blade portion 562 except foran attachment region 605 where the blade portion 562 is attached, orfixed, to the attachment portion 564. Further, the chisel edge 587 maybe described as the first portion or region of the blade portion 562 toenter or contact the ground surface 562 when being used to engage anddisperse ground material. Additionally, each of the forward and rearwardedges 601 and 602 may meet, or intersect, at a point, or tip, 603 of theblade portion 562. In this embodiment, the rearward edge 602 is curvedor defines a curve. In other embodiments, the rearward edge 602 may notbe curved, and instead, extend along a linearly line or a mixture oflinear and curved. For example, a majority of the rearward edge 602 maybe curved while a minority is linear. The curvature of the rearward edge602 may assist the entering, or engaging, of the ground displacingelement 560 into the ground surface. Further, the majority of theforward edge 601 extends linearly (e.g., non-curved) to the point 603.In other embodiments, the forward edge 601 may not be straight, andinstead, be at least partially curved.

Further, as shown best in FIG. 9G, the blade portions 562 of the grounddisplacing elements 560 may be described as being tilted or rotated 611about an axis 610 with respect to the forward moving direction of theimplement 510. The axis 610 may extend from the cylindrical portionradially (e.g., perpendicularly to a tangent of the circumference of thecylindrical portion) and the blade portions 562 may be described asbeing rotated, or angled, 611 about the axis 610 with the forward movingdirection being zero degrees. In other words, the blade portions 562 mayextend out of a plane lying parallel to the forward moving or rollingdirection of the implement 510. For example, a plane parallel to themoving or rolling direction of the implement 510 is represented bydashed line 512 in FIG. 9B proximate one of the ground displacingelements 560. As shown, the blade portion 562 does not substantially liewithin the plane represent by dashed line 512 and is, instead, tilted orrotated with respect to the plane. The tilt, or rotation, 611 of theblade portions 562 may assist the blade portions 562 to extend throughthe ground surface 12 to engage the ground material (e.g., dig, lift,rip, etc. the ground material). Further, as shown, the plurality ofground displacing elements 560 may include blade portions 562 tilted, orrotated, in different (e.g., opposite) directions.

In other words, the blade portions 562 may each being described aslying, or extending, in a plane, and the plane may not be perpendicular(or parallel) to the rolling axis of the cylindrical portion 541. Forexample, the plane within which the blade portion lies may be consideredto be twisted, or angled, from the radial axis, or line, 610, which isperpendicular to the rolling axis of the cylindrical portion 541.

The blade portions 562 of the ground displacing elements 560 may bedescribed as being tilted or rotated 611 about the axis 610 from theforward moving direction between about 0 and about 45 degrees. In one ormore embodiments, the blade portions 562 of the ground displacingelements 560 may be described as being tilted or rotated 611 about theaxis 610 from the forward moving direction greater than or equal toabout 2 degrees, greater than or equal to about 4 degrees, greater thanor equal to about 5 degrees, greater than or equal to about 8 degrees,greater than or equal to about 10 degrees, greater than or equal toabout 12 degrees, greater than or equal to about 14 degrees, greaterthan or equal to about 16 degrees, greater than or equal to about 20degrees, greater than or equal to about 25 degrees, greater than orequal to about 30 degrees, greater than or equal to about 35 degrees,etc. Further, in one or more embodiments, the blade portions 562 of theground displacing elements 560 may be described as being tilted orrotated 611 about the axis 610 from the forward moving direction lessthan or equal to about 45 degrees, less than or equal to about 40degrees, less than or equal to about 38 degrees, less than or equal toabout 34 degrees, less than or equal to about 32 degrees, less than orequal to about 27 degrees, less than or equal to about 23 degrees, lessthan or equal to about 18 degrees, less than or equal to about 13degrees, less than or equal to about 11 degrees, less than or equal toabout 9 degrees, less than or equal to about 7 degrees, less than orequal to about 3 degrees, etc.

Additionally, the ground lifting surface 568 of the blade portion 562may be described as extending at non-radial angle. For example,substantially all or a majority of the ground lifting surface 568 maynot extend along a radial line (e.g., a line that extends through therolling axis 16 of the cylindrical portion 541). In other words,substantially all or a majority of the ground lifting surface 568 mayextend along a dashed line 581 shown in FIG. 9C that does not extendthrough the rolling axis 16 of the cylindrical portion 541. Further, inother words, substantially all or a majority of the ground liftingsurface 568 may extend along a dashed line 581 that does not form aright angle with a tangential line (i.e., a line tangential to outercylindrical surface 543) where the dashed line 581 enters the outercylindrical surface 543. Still further, the ground lifting surface 568may be described as being forward slanted or angled towards the rollingdirection of the cylindrical portion 541. More specifically,substantially all or a majority of the ground lifting surface 568 mayextend along a dashed line 581 that does forms an acute angle with atangential line (i.e., a line tangential to outer cylindrical surface543) where the dashed line 581 enters the outer cylindrical surface 543.

All patents, patent documents, and references cited herein areincorporated in their entirety as if each were incorporated separately.This disclosure has been provided with reference to illustrativeembodiments and is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Asdescribed previously, one skilled in the art will recognize that othervarious illustrative applications may use the techniques as describedherein to take advantage of the beneficial characteristics of theexemplary apparatus described herein. Various modifications of theillustrative embodiments, as well as additional embodiments of thedisclosure, will be apparent upon reference to this description.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. An implement system couplable to a vehicleconfigured to traverse a ground surface, wherein the implement systemcomprises: frame apparatus couplable to the vehicle; and a plurality ofroller apparatuses, each coupled to the frame apparatus and comprising:a cylindrical portion lying along a roller axis configured anddimensioned to roll about the roller axis over a ground surface betweencrop rows so as to not damage the crop rows, wherein the cylindricalportion defines an outer surface configured to engage the ground surfacewhen the cylindrical portion is rolled over the ground surface, and aplurality of ground displacing elements coupled to the cylindricalportion and extending from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion.21. The system of claim 20, wherein the cylindrical portion of theplurality of roller apparatus extends from a first end portion to asecond end portion along the roller axis defining a roller width,wherein the roller width is greater than or equal to 21 inches.
 22. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein each ground displacing element of theplurality of ground displacing elements comprises: an attachment portionremovably coupled to the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindricalportion, and a blade portion coupled to and extending from theattachment portion and configured to extend into the ground surface todisplace ground material when the roller apparatus is engaged with theground surface as the vehicle traverses the ground surface.
 23. Thesystem of claim 22, wherein the blade portion lies in plane that is notperpendicular to the rolling axis.
 24. The system of claim 22, whereinthe cylindrical portion of the plurality of roller apparatus extendsfrom a first end portion to a second end portion along the roller axis,wherein the blade portion of each of the plurality of ground displacingelements defines a forward edge and a rearward edge opposite the forwardedge, wherein the forward edge is closer to the first end portion of thecylindrical portion than the rearward edge of at least one grounddisplacing element, wherein the forward edge is closer to the second endportion of the cylindrical portion than the rearward edge of at leastone ground displacing element.
 25. The system of claim 22, wherein thecylindrical portion defines a plurality of keyhole-shaped openingsthrough the outer cylindrical surface, wherein the attachment portion ofeach of the plurality of ground displacing elements is removably coupledto the cylindrical portion using a keyhole-shaped opening of theplurality of keyhole-shaped openings.
 26. The system of claim 25,wherein the attachment portion of each of the plurality of grounddisplacing elements defines an opening extending therethrough, whereinthe roller apparatus comprises a plurality of fasteners, and whereineach fastener of the plurality of fasteners is configured to extendthrough the opening of the attachment portion of a ground displacingelement and through a keyhole-shaped opening of the cylindrical portionto couple the ground displacing element to the cylindrical portion. 27.The system of claim 25, wherein the attachment portion of each of theplurality of ground displacing elements is removably coupled to thecylindrical portion using two keyhole-shaped opening of the plurality ofkeyhole-shaped openings.
 28. The system of claim 20, wherein thecylindrical portion of each roller apparatus defines an enclosureconfigured to contain material to provide additional mass to the rollerapparatus.
 29. The system of claim 20 further comprising a plurality ofextension members coupled to the frame apparatus, wherein each extensionmember extends from a proximal end portion coupled to the frameapparatus to a distal end portion coupled to a roller apparatus, whereineach extension member is dimensioned travel between crop rows so as tonot damage the crop rows.
 30. Roller apparatus couplable to a vehicleconfigured to traverse a ground surface, wherein the roller apparatuscomprises: a cylindrical portion to engage a ground surface when thevehicle traverses the ground surface, wherein cylindrical portion liesalong a roller axis and configured to rotate about the roller axis asthe vehicle traverses the ground surface, and a plurality of grounddisplacing elements removably coupled to the cylindrical portion andextending from the outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion,wherein each ground displacing element of the plurality of grounddisplacing elements comprises: an attachment portion coupled to theouter cylindrical surface of the cylindrical portion, and a bladeportion coupled to and extending from the attachment portion andconfigured to extend into the ground surface to displace ground materialwhen the roller apparatus is engaged with the ground surface as thevehicle traverses the ground surface, wherein the blade portion lies inplane that is not perpendicular to the rolling axis, wherein the bladeportion defines a forward edge and a rearward edge opposite the forwardedge, wherein at least a portion of the rearward edge defines a curve.31. The roller apparatus of claim 30, wherein at least a portion of theforward edge of the blade portion of each of the plurality of grounddisplacing elements extends linearly.
 32. The roller apparatus of claim30, wherein each of the forward edge and the rearward edge of the bladeportion of each of the plurality of ground displacing elements defines achisel edge.
 33. The roller apparatus of claim 30, wherein the pluralityof ground displacing elements are arranged at least one rowcircumferentially extending around the outer cylindrical surface of thecylindrical portion.
 34. The roller apparatus of claim 30, wherein theplurality of ground displacing elements are arranged in at least a firstrow and second row, each of the first and second rows extendingcircumferentially around the outer cylindrical surface of thecylindrical portion, wherein the plurality of ground displacing elementslocated in the first row are staggered with respect to the plurality ofground displacing elements located in the second row such that theplurality of ground displacing elements located in the first row do notextend from the same locations about the circumference of thecylindrical portion as the plurality of ground displacing elementslocated in the second row.
 35. The roller apparatus of claim 30, whereinthe plurality of ground displacing elements comprises three or moreground displacing elements.
 36. The roller apparatus of claim 30,wherein the cylindrical portion defines an enclosure configured tocontain material to provide additional mass to the roller apparatus. 37.The roller apparatus of claim 30, wherein the attachment portion of eachof the plurality of ground displacing elements is removably coupled tothe cylindrical portion, wherein the cylindrical portion defines aplurality of keyhole-shaped openings through the outer cylindricalsurface, wherein the attachment portion of each of the plurality ofground displacing elements is removably coupled to the cylindricalportion using a keyhole-shaped opening of the plurality ofkeyhole-shaped openings.
 38. The roller apparatus of claim 37, whereinthe attachment portion of each of the plurality of ground displacingelements defines an opening extending therethrough, wherein the rollerapparatus comprises a plurality of fasteners, and wherein each fastenerof the plurality of fasteners is configured to extend through theopening of the attachment portion of a ground displacing element andthrough a keyhole-shaped opening of the cylindrical portion to couplethe ground displacing element to the cylindrical portion.